Kilmarnock town centre is facing another devastating shop closure as TG Jones in King Street is set to close, along with the Post Office inside the store. The double blow means the town centre will lose its only Post Office facilities, leaving residents without access to essential services.
Closure Timeline and Impact
It is understood that TG Jones and the Post Office will close at the end of August. This follows the announcement that M&S will close its town centre store, with plans to open a food-only store at Queen's Drive Retail Park. The closures leave a huge vacant unit in King Street, adding to the decline of the area.
Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP Lillian Jones expressed deep sadness over the news, stating: "I am very saddened by the news that TG Jones is closing so many stores across the country, including the Kilmarnock branch. This is a deeply worrying time for the staff affected and their families." She noted that there has already been interest from potential operators keen to take on the Post Office franchise, but interim arrangements are needed to avoid disruption.
Political Response and Calls for Action
Councillor Graham Boyd described the situation as a 'last chance saloon' for the town centre, calling for radical and ambitious solutions. He said: "Just visited TJ Jones in King Street and staff confirmed the shop and Post Office will close next month. There are no plans yet for a replacement Post Office. No Post Office in the town centre is in any way acceptable!"
Boyd emphasised the need for urgent action: "Let’s be blunt, we’re now at the last chance saloon regards the future of King Street. It’s time for ambitious, radical action and that includes the clearance of the largely dated & obsolete Eastern side of King St, to be replaced with small retail, leisure & housing."
Masterplan and Future Prospects
The Kilmarnock Town Centre Masterplan is currently being written and will be presented to Full Council in August. For the Masterplan to be effective, it requires Council funding, private sector investment, and the support of We Make Kilmarnock. Boyd noted that councillors will ultimately decide its contents and funding, and the public will have a say in next May's elections, where 14 councillors will be elected across four Kilmarnock wards.
The MP confirmed she will meet with Post Office management to discuss plans and interim measures. She said: "I will shortly be meeting with Post Office management to understand their plans and to ask how they intend to continue serving Kilmarnock until a new Post Office franchisee can be found."
